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Compare Proscar vs. Cardura

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Proscar (finasteride) and Cardura (doxazosin) are both used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), but they work differently and have different uses. Proscar is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor that helps shrink the prostate by lowering levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It can take up to 6 months to see improvement and is typically used long-term. Cardura, on the other hand, is an alpha-1 blocker that relaxes muscles in the prostate and bladder to improve urine flow. It can also be used to treat high blood pressure.Both medications are available as a lower-cost generic. Additionally, Cardura is available in both an immediate-release and extended-release forms. Proscar may cause sexual side effects like erectile dysfunction, while Cardura can cause dizziness and low blood pressure, especially when standing up quickly. Cardura should not be taken with medications like sildenafil (Viagra) due to the risk of severe low blood pressure.

  • Finasteride (Proscar)
    Doxazosin (Cardura)
  • Finasteride (Proscar)
    Doxazosin (Cardura)

  • Summary of Proscar vs. Cardura

    Summary for 5-alpha reductase inhibitor
    Prescription only

    Finasteride (Proscar) is a medication used alone or with doxazosin (Cardura) to treat men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It’s typically recommended for those with an enlarged prostate who also have symptoms, such as problems urinating. But it can take up to 6 months to work. Luckily, the medication comes as a lower-cost generic option.

    Summary for Alpha antagonist
    Prescription only

    Doxazosin mesylate (Cardura) is an alpha-1 blocker that's used to treat adults with enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH) or high blood pressure. It's also available as brand name Cardura XL, an extended-release tablet that's FDA approved for treating BPH only. The typical dosage is one tablet by mouth once a day. Side effects include low blood pressure, dizziness, and fatigue.

  • Indications of Proscar vs. Cardura

    Indications for

    Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

    •Relieves urinary symptoms
    •Lessens the need for prostate surgery
    Indications for
    •Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH)
    •High blood pressure - immediate-release tablet only

  • Pros and Cons of Proscar vs. Cardura

    Pros and Const for 5-alpha reductase inhibitor
    Pros
    •Works to relieve symptoms in people with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
    •Doesn’t interact with many medications
    •Can be used in people who have kidney problems
    Cons
    •Some men might have sexual side effects like inability to have an erection
    •Typically used as a long-term therapy
    •Requires regular prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood tests
    Pros and Const for Alpha antagonist
    Pros
    •Taken by mouth once a day
    •Can be used in older adults
    •Available in a lower-cost generic form
    Cons
    •Not a first-choice options for high blood pressure
    •Can cause dizziness and sudden low blood pressure
    •Interacts with other medications

  • Common Side Effects of Proscar vs. Cardura

    Common Side Effects for

    Finasteride (Proscar) daily treatment by itself:

    •Inability to have an erection (5-8%)
    •Lower sex drive (3-6%)
    •Decrease in ejaculation amount (2-4%)

    Finasteride (Proscar) taken with doxazosin (Cardura)*:

    •Dizziness (23%)
    •Inability to have an erection (23%)
    •Low blood pressure when getting up (18%)
    •Feeling tired (17%)
    •Abnormal ejaculation (14%)
    •Lower sex drive (12%)

    *Since both finasteride (Proscar) and doxazosin (Cardura) were both taken daily, side effects might not be entirely due to finasteride (Proscar).

    Common Side Effects for

    Immediate-release tablets

    •Dizziness (16-19%)
    •Fatigue (8-12%)

    Extended-release tablets

    •Headache (6%)
    •Dizziness (5%)
    •Respiratory tract infection (5%)
    •Feeling weak (4%)

  • Warnings of Proscar vs. Cardura

    Common Side Effects for
    •Harm to unborn baby
    •Lowered prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels
    •High-risk prostate cancer
    Common Side Effects for
    •Sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing
    •Prolonged and painful erection
    •Eye problems
    •Digestive system problems - Cardura XL tablet only

  • Prices with our coupons for Proscar vs. Cardura

    Learn more about Finasteride
    Learn more about Doxazosin

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